Not just high, but also low blood sugar levels are a cause for concern. Recently, we came across a Quora post that read ‘My HbA1c is 7, fasting sugar is 130, and post-meal sugar is 200. I’m not on medication, but I feel low and shaky 4 hours after meals. What should I do?’ So, we decided to bring this to the notice of healthcare practitioners to get expert insights. If this scenario resonates with you, read on.
Dr Vijay Negalur, HOD, diabetology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, helped us understand the numbers in detail.
HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin test (7 per cent) shows your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. “Ideally, it should be under 5.7 per cent. A level of 7 per cent indicates early or mild diabetes,” said Dr Negalur.
Fasting glucose or blood sugar (130 mg/dL) should typically be below 100, said Dr Negalur, elaborating that it refers to the sugar in your blood after you have not consumed anything for more than eight hours.
According to Dr Negalur, post-meal (PP) sugar (200 mg/dL) is higher than the ideal range, which is below 140. “These values show that your body isn’t managing sugar well, even though you’re not on medication,” said Dr Negalur.
Do you experience low sugar levels regularly? (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
So, what’s the issue?
According to Dr Negalur, this pattern suggests reactive hypoglycemia. “After a high-carb meal, your sugar spikes, as shown by the 200 reading. Your body releases more insulin to lower the sugar, but it overshoots. This results in a drop in sugar around 3 to 4 hours later. That’s when you feel symptoms like shakiness, dizziness, or sweating, which are classic signs of low blood sugar,” said Dr Negalur.
What should I be watching for?
*Sugar fluctuations, including high peaks followed by crashes.
*Feeling tired or hungry shortly after meals.
*Craving sweets or caffeine in the afternoon.
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“These may suggest insulin resistance or early-stage diabetes. If this pattern continues, it can get worse over time,” said Dr Negalur.
What can help?
*Balanced meals: Include protein and fibre in every meal to slow sugar absorption.
*Smaller, frequent meals: Eat every 3 to 4 hours to avoid sugar drops.
*Cut refined carbs: Stay away from white bread, sugary drinks, and processed snacks. “Cut back on simple carbs like white rice, sweets, and sugary drinks,” said Dr Aarti Ullal, physician and diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel.
*Monitor regularly: Check fasting and post-meal sugars often.
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*Track patterns: A short-term CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) can provide more insights. “See the diabetologist as soon as he/she may advise dietary changes or medications to prevent sugar spikes and crashes. Be attentive when it comes to your health if you have diabetes. Timely intervention is key for the successful management of diabetes,” said Dr Ullal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
